Priest shot dead marks 2nd clerical murder this week in Mexico

Roman Catholic authorities in Mexico say a priest has been killed in the west-central state of Jalisco, the second cleric slain in the country this week.

The Catholic Multimedia Center says that 33-year-old Juan Miguel Contreras Garcia was shot dead late on Friday April 20 in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, Jalisco.

It was announced on Saturday April 21, that early reports indicate he was killed by unidentified attackers in the parish office while performing the sacrament of penance.

According to the center, at least four priests have been slain in Mexico this year and 23 have been murdered since 2012.

It also says that Mexico leads Latin America in the killings of priests.

On Wednesday April 18, Rev. Ruben Alcantara, another Roman Catholic priest was stabbed to death in his church on the outskirts of Mexico City.

No arrests have been made so far in relation with either one of these murders.

TYT Newsroom with information from Proceso